Necktie clasp



W. B. HILL NECKTIE CLASP Aug. 11, 1936.

Filed June 5, 1935 INVENTOR. bV/LL/AM B. HILL ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in clasps for neckties and its principal object is to provide a clasp to be used in connection with the so-called four-in-hand tie comprising a central section adapted to be placed around the collar and two flaring end sections or strands which conventionally are tied into an artistic knot in front of the collar and made to suspend from the knot.

The tying of the knot is found dimcult by many persons and it also tends to crumple the material so as to make the tie unsightly after the tie has been worn for a certain length of time and it is proposed in the present invention to provide a clasp by the use of which the operation of tying the knot is much simplified, an artistic effect is added to the tie and the tie material is saved from excessive crumpling particularly in the hands of inexperienced persons.

More particularly it is proposed in the present invention to provide a clasp that may be easily applied to the two strands of a necktie and that will produce the taper effect found in the conventionally tied necktie without the necessity of wrapping one strand around the other and thereby crumpling the material.

It is further proposed to provide a clasp of the character described which lends a decorative effect to the appearance of the tie and may be used for the display of precious stones, fraternity emblems or any other desired ornamentation.

It is further proposed to provide certain structural features tending to simplify the construction of the clasp and serving to hold the clasp in place against sliding movement as well as facilitating the application of the clasp to the tie.

Further and other objects of my invention will appear as the specification proceeds.

The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which,

Figure 1 shows a front view of a tie having my clasp attached thereto,

Figure 2 a side view of the preferred form of my clasp,

Figure 3 a rear view of said clasp,

Figure 4 a horizontal section taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1, and

Figure 5 a rear view of a slightly modified form of my clasp.

While I have shown only the preferred forms of my invention I wish to have it understood that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims hereto attached without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In using my tie clasp the tie l is not tied in the conventional manner by wrapping one strand around the other, but the two strands 2 and 3 are merely tied with a simple knot as shown at 4 so that the two strands are freely suspended from the knot, thestrand 3 being disposed in 5 front of the strand 2. It might be noted that in most conventional ties now on the-market the strand 3 is made somewhat wider than the strand 2 because the latter is supposed to be concealed behind the former.

My clasp 5 consists principally of two parts, the metallic plate 6 and the link I. The plate is bent to form an incomplete circle with the two ends spaced from one another and curled to form or provide an eyelet 8 at one end and a hook 9 at the other end. The central portion of the plate which, when the clasp is positioned, is displayed in front of the tie, is considerably wider than the sides and as a matter of fact the sides in the preferred form are made to taper down to relatively thin strips as shown at l0 whereby the extremities may be readily curled into the eyelet and hook respectively. The front or central portion of the clasp is made relatively wide to lend itself readily to any desired ornamentation as well as for the purpose of opposing sliding movement of the clasp on the tie. 'It will be noted that the size of the clasp is such as to cause a narrowing of the tie at the point of attachment and to produce the taper effect of the conventionally tied necktie.

The two ends of the plate are connected with one another through the link I which in the preferred form consists of an annular ring H. The latter is hinged in the eyelet 8 and maybe readily engaged with the hook 9 for locking the two ends of the plate in spaced relation. It will be noted that the ring II is of a considerable diameter and substantially conforms in size to the width of the front portion of the plate, which causes the ring and the plate to coact in holding the clasp in adjusted position. It will also be noted, particularly in Figure 2, that the ring is slightly curved in side elevation which causes the upper and lower sections of the ring to press into the necktie material for yieldingly opposing sliding movement of the clasp.

The manner of using the clasp will be readily understood from the foregoing description. The tie is first placed around the collar (not shown) with the strands 2 and 3 projecting from the front portion of the collar. The strand 3 is then placed over the strand 2, guided underneath the same to emerge at the top and drop down in front of the strand 2. The user now takes the upper strand, at a desired distance from the collar, bends the same transversely into substantially circular form, with the strand 2 confined in the circle, places the plate 6 over the section thus shaped and locks the plate in position by swinging the ring II for engagement with the hook 9. The tie now has the typical tapered form of a conventionally tied four-in-hand and the clasp not only holds the tie but adds to its appearance.

In the form shown in Figure 5 a different link I is shown which is shaped like a cross but which performs the function of the ring in substantially similar manner.

I claim:

1. A clasp for a necktie tied to have a knot and two strands suspended freely from the knot, one in front of the other, the clasp comprising a metallic plate bent circularly to confine and shape the front strand for encircling the rear strand and having its ends curled to provide an eyelet at one end and a hook at the other end, and a link hinged in the eyelet and engageabie with the hook for connecting the two ends in the rear of the strands.

2. A clasp for a necktie tied to have a knot and twostrands suspended freely from the knot, one in front of the other, the clasp comprising a metallic plate bent circularly to confine and shape the front strand for encircling the rear strand and having its ends curled to provide an eyelet at one end and a hook at the other end, and a link hinged in the eyelet and engageable with the hook for connecting the two ends in the rear of the strands, the plate being wider in its central section disposed in front of the strands than in the side sections and the link being of substantially the same width as the central front section for coaction with the front section of the plate in yieldingly opposing sliding movement of the clasp on the tie.

with the hook for connecting the two ends in the rear of the strands, the plate being wider in its central section disposed in front of the strands than in its side sections and the link being of similar width and being curved in side elevation for having its upper and lower portions press into the necktie material for coacting with the front of the clasp in yieldingly opposing sliding movement of the clasp on the tie.

4. A clasp for a necktie of the character described comprising a metallic front plate bent to form an incomplete circle with spaced rear ends confronting one another and a p vote k o connecting the spaced ends, the plate being wider in its central section than in the end sections and the link being of sufficient width for coaction with the central section in yieldingly opposing sliding movement of the clasp on a tie confined therein.

5. A clasp for a necktie of the character described comprising a metallic front plate bent to form an incomplete circle with spaced rearends confronting one another and a pivoted link for connecting the spaced ends, the plate being wider in 'its central section than in the end sections and the link being of similar width and being curved in side elevation for having its upper and lower portions press into the material of a tie confined in the clasp and for coacting with the central section of the plate in yieldingly opposing sliding movement of the clasp on the tie.

WILLIAM B. HILL. 

